Block new customers

When you're full, salons used to have two bad choices: take down online booking entirely, or let new customers book and then cancel them awkwardly days later. Now there's a third path: a toggle that blocks only new customers while existing regulars get a smooth experience.

Where to find it

Settings → Online Booking → Block new customers section.

How it works

After flipping the master toggle, when a customer tries to book:

1. They pick a service, staff, time
2. They enter their email
3. Bookinda immediately checks: is this email already in your customer database?
4. If yes → they continue, book the slot like nothing happened
5. If no → they get a polite custom message you set up

Your existing customers notice nothing — they book just like before.

Custom rejection message

Set a message new customers see (max 500 chars), in two languages:

• HU message: e.g., "We're fully booked and not accepting new customers online right now. Please call us at +36 30 123 4567 or try in a few weeks."
• EN message: same in English

Exceptions

Maybe your hairdresser is full but the manicurist still has room. Or your private yoga slots are full but the group yoga can still take new members. Three exception levels:

Service-level exception

One specific service (e.g., "Gel polish") can be exempt from the block. New customers can still book that one service.

Category-level exception

A whole category (e.g., "Nail services") can be opened. All services in it become exemptions automatically.

Group class exception

Group classes (yoga, fitness, group sessions) follow the same logic. If the group class's parent service or category is an exception, the class is too.

What counts as "existing customer"?

Anyone already in your customer database:

• Whoever you or your reception manually added (even if they never booked online)
• Customers who booked previously through Bookinda
• Customers imported via CSV (from your old system)

Check is by email address. If someone tries with a different email, they count as new.

Combined with waitlist

When the waitlist feature is also on, new customers aren't just rejected; they can join the waitlist. When a regular cancels, the new prospect gets an automatic email.

Use case scenarios

Scenario 1: Hair salon peak

3 weeks before Christmas, calendar is solid. Regulars come back faithfully, but you have to refuse 2-3 new prospects daily. Turn the block on, new customers get a polite "We reopen online booking mid-January".

Scenario 2: Private yoga teacher

Private slots booked weeks ahead, but group classes still have space. Turn the block on, mark "Group yoga" category as an exception. New signups can only book group classes.

Scenario 3: Beauty salon new promo

You're rolling out a new service and intentionally want to channel new customers there. Master block on, new promotional service as exception.

Scenario 4: Esthetician before vacation

Two weeks before vacation, you don't want new clients. Turn the block on, write the return date into the message.

Easy to turn off

When you're ready to take new customers again, just flip the master toggle. Exception ticks stay.

Tips

• The message is key: don't just reject; give something concrete ("reopening mid-January", "call us instead").
• Combine with waitlist: don't let the prospect leave entirely; capture them on the waitlist.
• Category exceptions are easiest to maintain: new services automatically follow the right logic.
• Returning customers shouldn't be surprised: if email doesn't match, customer hits the new-customer flow. If common, ask about email at reception.
• Block doesn't apply to in-house booking: manager / reception can still add new customers manually.